When it’s time to look for an accountant, many people feel overwhelmed by the process.
While most are able to hire accountants without any problems, others struggle with finding a professional that they can trust. If you’re looking for an accountant, here are some helpful tips to guide you through the process.
Hire Someone With CA/CPA License
Chartered Accountants or CPAs have passed rigorous exams and met certain education requirements in order to become certified public accountants. This is one of the recommendations of Suretax Accountants when looking for an accountant for your business. This means that they have more knowledge about tax laws than tax preparers who are just starting out in their careers. Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and Certified Public Accountants Association (CPAA) websites are available online so that you can search for CPAs near your area.
Treat Them Like A Professional Service Provider
One thing that many people forget when they are getting their first accountant is to treat them like any other professional service provider. For example, if you were to book your car in for a service or get your home cleaned by professionals, chances are the person who comes will have insurance and qualifications, as well as a great deal of expertise and experience with their industry. In short, you’re going to be able to get more for your money.
Be Willing To Shop Around
It’s not enough to just go with the first accountant you talk to. Like any professional service, it pays to shop around and see who can offer you the best deal, all while still maintaining an excellent level of service. A good accountant will be happy that you are looking around rather than taking their business (and service) for granted.
Consider Experience Levels
Just because someone is new to the tax business doesn’t mean that they’re inexperienced. Someone who is just starting out in their career may be able to prepare taxes more inexpensively than someone with years of experience, which could work well for your needs if you are on a tight budget.
Think About Your ‘End Game’ And What You Want From An Accountant
An important thing to consider when hiring an accountant is what you want from them in return. If for example, your aim is to have a full set of accounts each year so that they look great when seen by a potential business partner, then you probably just need an accountant who has the setup experience to work on your business. On the other hand, if you want someone who can provide ongoing advice and guidance for your business in order to ensure the best possible financial position over time, then be sure to ring around and see which accountants offer this kind of service.
Be Sure To Ask About Their Experience With Small Businesses And Start-ups
Another important thing to consider when shopping around is how much experience they have with small businesses and start-ups, as these are very different entities from long-established companies. If you’re looking for a new accountant based on price alone, being able to tell them that you’ve been running for five years and have a turnover of £1million may mean you’re not going to get the best deal.
Be Prepared To Be Challenged And Ask Questions In Return
Finally, when you find an accountant who seems like they’ll be right for your business, trust them enough to challenge them when they try and push certain services on you that perhaps aren’t needed. It’s their job after all to know what will benefit your business and help it grow. If you have questions about their service or how they run their business, make sure you ask them so that nothing is left unclear between both of you.
Ask About Availability
If you only need assistance during tax season, this will be less of an issue than if your account needs year-round help to handle all aspects of your finances. Some accountants only work during tax season to manage additional workloads at other times of the year.
Know What You Want To Accomplish
It’s important to know what you want before looking for an accountant so that you can use this information to whittle down your list of potential accountants. For example, if you need help with back taxes, you’ll want to choose an accountant who has experience handling these types of issues. If you’re looking for someone to teach your employees about payroll tax obligations, look for a different type of professional.
This article has hopefully shown you some helpful tips on how to go about looking for an accountant and the questions you should ask yourself before hiring one. Remember it’s a big decision and that no matter which accountant you choose, they will be able to do a great job if you let them.
